BERLIN, Conn. — Multiple fires continue to burn across Connecticut, with the biggest one on Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.
Berlin Fire Chief John Massirio said the weather on Monday was good for firefighters to continue their work.
“There's still hot spots on [Lamentation Mountain]. There's an area mid-range on the mountain that is persistently heating up, and the south end on the mountain is still pretty active with fire activity in the next few days, operations will continue as normal,” Massirio said.
He said they are continuing to control fire lines.
The reason behind the numerous fires is due to the lack of rain.
“Everything is incredibly flammable anytime a dry leaf falls, it's fuel for the flames,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.
Lamont said they are making sure it can’t expand any further.
Firefighters have been fighting the Hawthorne fire for over a week and helicopters from Maine have been called down to help.
“Those choppers are costing us about $8,000 an hour, so that's a lot of support we're getting to do everything and keep you safe,” Lamont said.
Major General Francis J. Evon, Jr. said the National Guard has dropped 240,000 gallons of water so far.
”Last time we had aerial drops of water was 1995 so it's really unprecedented,” Evon Jr. said.
He said they are proud of Connecticut’s home team.
“Our members have trained to do this, both here in the United States, in Connecticut and overseas,” Evon Jr. said.
The other fires happening in the state are not as big as the Hawthorne fire but are still raising concerns.
“All the fires in Connecticut currently have the possibility of reignition,” Chris Martin, state forester with DEEP, said.
DEEP said it is managing all of the active fires.
“We're working to ensure that there's proper surveillance that we're helping to address as new fires are cropping up, being able to get personnel on the scene to keep them from growing into larger fires,” Katie Dykes, DEEP commissioner, said.
Lamont said soaking rain is needed in Connecticut and until that happens, he urges everyone to be careful.
“Do what you can to protect your community,” Lamont said.
DEEP has implemented a statewide burn ban on public lands that are administered by them. They said it’s important for everyone to be mindful and not burn anything outdoors, park cars on the grass or flip a cigarette butt out the window.
With Halloween just a few days away, it’s best to use battery-operated candles, rather than lighting real ones.
Cayla Cade is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at ccade@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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